Surgical intervention of anterior transsphincteric fistula using lift technique

The patient is a 25-year-old woman with a history of anterior transsphincteric fistula treated with a seton. During follow-up, endoanal ultrasound revealed an anterolateral external fistula opening (EFO) with a curved tract towards an internal fistula opening (IFO) in the anterior pectinate line, covering 30% of the external anal sphincter (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

The surgical intervention involved the LIFT technique. This technique is based on identification, ligation and dissection of the fistula tract in the intersphincteric space.

After a 24-month follow-up, the patient has presented no recurrence of the fistula or anal incontinence (Wexner = 0).

Funding

No funding was received from public, commercial, or non-profit agencies.